Psychology Overview: Anxiety & Theories

Psychology uses evidence-based interventions with strong research foundations.
Applications exist in diverse settings: community centers, private practice, prisons, hospitals, and non-profit organizations.
AHPRA registration ensures practitioner competency and ethical conduct.
Psychological scientists study the mind and behavior, ranging from brain function to social interaction.
Psychiatrists hold medical degrees, can prescribe medication, and focus on diagnosing and treating mental illnesses.
Social workers connect individuals with community resources, focusing on systemic support and social justice.
Counselors hold master's degrees. They focus on guidance and support.

Scientists systematically investigate the natural world through observation, experimentation, and analysis to develop theories.
Scientific method doesn't prove absolute certainty, instead, incorrect ideas are disproven, allowing the most accurate to stand.
The scientific method involves observation, questioning, hypothesis development, experimentation, analysis, conclusion, and revision.
Theories are comprehensive and widely supported explanations based on extensive evidence.
Hypotheses are specific, testable predictions about relationships between variables.

Emotions are psychological and physiological responses to internal and external stimuli.
Emotions are shorter in duration than moods, which can last longer.
Common emotional components are valence (positive or negative), intensity, and the object or situation being appraised.
There are six universally recognized basic emotions.
Various secondary emotions derive from these fundamental emotions.
There are also culturally specific emotions.
Moods are prolonged emotional states, less intense than emotions, and not directly linked to an event.
Observable expression of emotions is called Affect, which encompasses facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice.
Emotions are typically about something in the world. This is called aboutness in cognitive science.

The scientific method is the body of techniques for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.
Components include: observation, question, hypothesis, experiment, analysis, conclusion, report/communication, re-evaluation/revision.
Unfalsifiable means that a proposition cannot ever be proven false by any conceivable evidence or observation.
Theories also make predictions about future events.

A hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction or statement about the relationship between variables.
Theories are comprehensive, well-supported explanations of phenomena, based on a larger body of evidence and multiple tested hypotheses.

Anxiety: Fear related to a possible future threat. Appraising an ambiguous or uncertain situation as threatening.
Fear: Fear related to an immediate threat. Appraising an event as a significant threat, and believing that there is a limited ability to handle it.
Panic attacks: Intense fear with physical symptoms (e.g., rapid heart rate, sweating, shortness of breath).
Panic Disorder: Recurring, unexpected panic attacks and fear of subsequent attacks.
Agoraphobia: Fear of situations where escape or help might be difficult.
Specific Phobias: Intense fear of a specific object or situation.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Persistent and excessive worry about various aspects of life. Usually involves several cognitive appraisals related to the threat and negative outcomes.

Nature of Stimulus: Fear differs from Anxiety in the level of control over the situation. Fear is related to concrete stimuli while anxiety is related to anticipation of future threats.
Cognition: Anxiety and disorders are different. People with anxiety often exhibit extreme negative thinking such as catastrophising, over-generalisation and what-if scenarios to heighten the sense of fear.
Differences in Cognitions: Core fears in each anxiety disorder can differ. (e.g. separation anxiety, selective mutism)

Stress: A broad non-specific response that happens in the body when there is any demand for significant change.
Physical stressors include actual environmental disturbances such as illness, injuries or infections.
Psychological stressors involve anticipating perceived threats and environmental change.
Stress can have both positive (e.g., improving cognitive and physical performance) and negative consequences (e.g., illness and reduced quality of life).
The body has specific responses (and systems ) to deal with different types of stress (SAM and HPA axis).

Therapists typically assess clients to pinpoint the root of anxieties.
Psychoeducation is often given to aid clients regarding the nature of anxiety and disorders which can lead to a clearer understanding and improved self-perception.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy are common treatments for anxiety disorders.
Other treatments include: psychodynamic therapy, interpersonal therapy, couples therapy, and problem-solving therapy.

Negative reinforcement occurs when a behavior is strengthened due to removal of a negative stimuli (like avoiding something unpleasant preventing it's continuation).
Negative punishment involves removing a desirable stimulus as a consequence of a behaviour (like removing a child's favorite toy). This encourages a stop to repeated actions.

Differences between mood disorders and sadness include variations in intensity, duration, symptoms, and impact on daily functioning.
Prevalence of mood disorders and anxiety disorders vary with gender.
Biological factors, psychological factors, and social/environmental factors contribute to anxiety and mood disorders.

Anxiety Disorders: Symptoms and Core Features of the core conditions vary.
Panic attacks are characterised by a sudden surge of intense fear. People who encounter this often experience physical symptoms (including a racing heart).
Fear is a response to a present threat while anxiety is a response to an anticipated threat.

The cognitive theory of depression suggests that schemas (underlying assumptions or beliefs) regarding relationships, one's self and the future can influence automatic appraisal and evaluation of events.
Dysfunctional schemas are activated by a negative experience can contribute to, or even escalate depression.
Negative behaviours such as withdrawal can reinforce negative beliefs.
Cognitive and behavioral models highlight how thoughts, feelings, and behaviours interact to influence mood and emotions.

Fear and Anxiety share some similar physiological responses like increased heart rate and sweating. However, fear is more immediate and responses include instinctive behaviours to escape while anxiety is about a future threat and the response can involve planning and anticipating.
Different appraisal of events between fear and anxiety leads to different cognitive and behavioral responses.

Evidence-based practices should be founded on the best available research and be tailored to meet the individual needs of clients.
Practices should be adjusted to meet with the lived experiences of clients.
CBT has proved highly effective in treating anxiety and mood disorders.